With the US dollar stronger against the British pound than it’s been in a long while, it was a good time for Americans to visit the United Kingdom. Scots are extraordinarily friendly, even helpful, making it all the easier to fall in love with Scotland. Although they speak English, incline your ear to listen carefully, … Continue reading
HFHI Women Build 2017 Paraguay – Farewell
You may not think five days of manual labor goes by as quickly as it did for our team of 16 Global Village volunteers, at least if you aren’t used to digging ditches, back-filling foundations and mixing concrete by hand. Let me assure you, not one of us does any of these things as our … Continue reading
HFHI Women Build 2017 Paraguay – Work Days 3 & 4
A few facts you may not know about Paraguay. The country is the world’s sixth largest exporter of beef; Paraguay has twice as many cows as people. The cows are so special they are sold and flown live to Peru! It also exports soy, cotton and hydroelectric power. It’s a low-key country that flies under … Continue reading
HFHI Women Build 2017 Paraguay – Getting Started
Buenos Dias Amigos! The team has arrived safely albeit with a delayed flight and varying arrival times. We have convened at Hotel Portal del Sol for the week and are having a wonderful time getting to know one another, Habitat Paraguay staff and our host country. Heard of Paraguay? If you answered, “Yes,” could you … Continue reading
Martinique – Short & Sweet
If you love to travel as I do and if you homeschool as I do, you may be looking for deals that make “roadschool” possible, as I do. Let’s just say that when I found out that Norwegian Airline flies directly to Martinique and Guadeloupe from my hometown, for between $250 and $350 roundtrip, all … Continue reading
ECUADOR – Climbing Quito’s Basilica
I am definitely NOT an adrenaline junkie when it comes to exploring the world. Once I ascended to the first lookout inside the Quito’s cathedral La Basilica Voto Nacional, an easy stair climb, I found out there was more, and I couldn’t resist! It’s not so bad as long as you don’t have a fear … Continue reading
ECUADOR – Two Nights in Mindo
With only one week I wasn’t sure about spending a couple nights anywhere but Quito on our first trip to Ecuador. In retrospect, Mindo is the perfect diversion from Quito’s sprawl, concrete and cars. Just a two hour drive outside the city you’ll be a place that feels very much like the forest, which after … Continue reading
ECUADOR – One Week In & Around Quito
Un pais pequeño de gran corazón. Tiny country, huge heart. Exploring Ecuador is on my permanent To-Do List. With more to see and do packed into this coastal nation occupying some of the northwestern bulge of South American than expected, you’d be wise to stay for a good long while, or plan on going back. … Continue reading
Turks & Caicos: In Case You Haven’t Heard
I’ve visited more than half of the Caribbean Island nations. Recently I was asked which was my favorite. The Turks & Caicos, though technically located in the Atlantic Ocean not the Caribbean Sea. But that’s just geography right? Here’s why. #1 – It’s Gorgeous. Grace Bay is one of the best beaches I’ve had the … Continue reading
Smells Good in Here Potato Soup
Menu planning for the week. I ask myself, “What seems good to me this time of year, as birds and temperatures head south, winter is imminent yet the days are still filled with plenty of sunshine wrestling the cool breezes?” Soup. Definitely soup. I comb through recipes pre-grocery shop as I usually do and I … Continue reading